This early summer short break to the Yorkshire coast and North Yorkshire moors included a good range of different habitats. There were great views of some species that were new to me as well as fantastic landscape settings. The trip was enhanced by the tour leader's knowledge of the sites we visited and the enjoyable company of the other guests. Well organised from start to finish. A relaxing trip with great views of wildlife and scenery.
F.W. Warwickshire, Jun 22
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Tour Itinerary and Reports
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- Tour report - June 2024
- Tour report - June 2022
- Tour report - June 2021
- Tour report - July 2018
- Tour report - July 2017
- Tour report - July 2015
- Tour report - July 2014
- Tour report - July 2013
- Tour report - June 2013
- Tour report - July 2012
- Tour report - June 2012
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The Yorkshire Coast & Moors
Tour Code: GBR28A 4-day birdwatching holiday exploring the Yorkshire coast and North Yorkshire Moors.
£895
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
The Yorkshire coast has an amazing variety of wildlife habitats on its doorstep. On this short break we’ll first spend a day visiting the towering chalk cliffs of Flamborough and Bempton, where the RSPB safeguards over 200,000 nesting seabirds including Britain’s largest mainland Gannet colony, as well as Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins and Kittiwakes. We’ll explore Filey Brigg and Filey Dams Nature Reserves as well as surrounding farmland and countryside looking for the area’s healthy populations of Corn Bunting and Tree Sparrow. Our second full day will be spent in the North York Moors National Park where Red Grouse share the heather moorland with species such as Wheatear and Merlin, while forests hold Crossbills and scarce birds of prey including Honey Buzzard.
- Visit impressive seabird colonies at Flamborough & Bempton
- Guillemots, Puffins and Razorbills among seabirds
- Experience Britain’s largest mainland Gannet colony
- Search for Corn Buntings and Tree Sparrows on farmland
- Full day in North York Moors National Park
- Golden Plover and Red Grouse among the moorland species we’ll look for
- Carnivorous plants, Golden-ringed Dragonflies and the scarce Large Heath among other wildlife
- Led by an expert Naturetrek naturalist guide
Grading
Day walks and optional evening excursionsFamous for its seaside towns of Scarborough, Filey, Whitby and Bridlington, the coast of Yorkshire has an amazing variety of wildlife habitat on its doorstep, all within easy reach for a 4 day tour. We begin this holiday with a day on the Yorkshire coast visiting the towering chalk cliffs of Flamborough and Bempton where the RSPB safeguard over 200,000 nesting seabirds, including Britain’s largest mainland Gannet colony, as well as Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins and Kittiwakes. We will also visit Filey Brigg and Filey Dams Nature Reserve and the surrounding farmland countryside where Corn Bunting and Tree Sparrow still maintain healthy populations.
Our second full day will be spent exploring the North York Moors National Park, to the north of Scarborough. Here Red Grouse share the heather moorlands with breeding Golden Plover, Wheatear, Merlin, Red Grouse and the possibility of Ring Ouzel. Also in this area, small boggy streams are home to carnivorous Sundew plants, Golden-ringed Dragonflies and even the scarce Large Heath butterfly. Included in the park is an extensive forest centred on the village of Dalby where Crossbills are numerous and various scarce birds of prey such as Honey Buzzard may be seen.
We will have the opportunity to visit prime Nightjar habitat where we can listen to their strange ‘churring’ calls and maybe witness their eerie shapes in the dark as they chase after moths. Roding Woodcock are also likely to appear at dusk, adding to the magical experience.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Accommodation: We will be staying in a comfortable tourist hotel with private facilities in each room.
- Food: Breakfast and evening meals are included in the tour price but lunches are not included.
Reviews
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Small group of keen amateurs for a short guided tour of the North Yorkshire Coast and Moors with a local expert. Based in a good and welcoming hotel near Scarborough. Specialist local knowledge led us to extremely good nature sites - lots of birds and animals seen - some firsts for us. Very relaxed and enjoyable holiday. We have used Naturetrek as our wildlife holiday operator for many years and have never been disappointed. The local and Naturetrek guides have been excellent. They know where to go to get the most out of the trip, are knowledgeable, are patient and very friendly. Naturetrek have proved very flexible and efficient - no traumas in booking any of our holidays with them and adjusting flights to cater for our visiting local friends prior to, or after, their tours.
J.H. Hampshire, June 22 -
A short break with Naturetrek, that included visiting the impressive sea bird colonies at RSPB Bempton, an evening watching Nightjars and a day on the Yorkshire Moors. Although we didn't see the long staying Albatross (that's wildlife for you) we had an excellent time as a small group with a leader we would highly recommended. Naturetrek provided all the important information we needed before the tour. The hotel was comfortable, and ideally situated. The leader was also very friendly and knowledgeable, giving us the chance to see lots of birds, and other wildlife such as butterflies and seals.
M.C. Cambridgeshire, June 22 -
Peter was an excellent leader - very knowledgeable and also a good teacher. He made the holiday a great success.
S.L. Hampshire -
Peter Dunn made the holiday - so well informed, also friendly, outgoing and helpful.
A.Y. London -
Peter was an excellent leader, with a superb knowledge of the local area. This was a wonderful few days, which we would happily repeat.
M.B. USA -
Our guide, Peter, was fantastic - his knowledge and expertise on birds was really impressive, and he was also able to tell us a lot about other wildlife, flowers and the area generally, which we enjoyed. He explained things very well and nothing was too much trouble - we saw and did far more than I'd anticipated. What I also appreciated was his patience with those of us who didn't know very much!
L.D. Hampshire
Dates & Prices
2025
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Tour Leader: Alan Miller
Alan originates from County Durham but has lived in North Yorkshire for over 50 years where he is a regular around the county's varied birding sites. He retired from the police service in 2003 having served for over 30 years including a 2-year spell as the Force Wildlife Liaison Officer and the last 7 planning, organising and running events. Since then he has been able to concentrate full-time on wildlife, conservation and travelling. Alan considers himself lucky that watching wildlife, especially birding, is a hobby enjoyed by all his family so holidays usually include a wildlife theme. Binoculars are a constant companion and Alan often takes his telescope, a bat detector, a butterfly net and even a moth trap with him. Travelling has taken Alan to a wide variety of destinations including Europe, North America, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Australasia. Alan has been involved in bird survey work for over 20 years and more lately in butterfly and dragonfly surveys He is a member of a number of organisations including the RSPB, BTO and Butterfly Conservation. He is also a founding committee member of his local RSPB Group. Alan especially enjoys seeing birds, animals, insects and other wildlife in their natural environment and tries to incorporate his wide interest in all forms of wildlife into the trips he leads.
2026
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Tour Reports
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